Fishing Generated 168 Million Euros in the Aragonese GDP During 2024
Sport and recreational fishing represented a significant economic sector in Aragon during 2024. The Department of Environment and Tourism presented a study prepared by Deloitte that quantifies the socioeconomic impact of this activity in the autonomous community, financed by the Aragonese Federation of Fishing and Casting (FAPYC).
The fishing sector generated an impact of 168 million euros on Aragon’s GDP during 2024 and contributed to the maintenance of 3,544 jobs in the community. Additionally, the activity produced 31 million euros in tax returns, distributed mainly in VAT (53%), personal income tax (33%), and corporate tax (14%).
The total mobilized expenditure amounted to 182 million euros among all related agents, primarily concentrated among fishermen, who contributed 174.9 million euros.
The average annual expenditure per fisherman is 3,509 euros. The main components of this spending include fuel for travel (641 euros), purchase of rods (598 euros), technical accessories such as waders, traps, hooks, and bait (456 euros), competitions (340 euros), training (239 euros), accommodation (186 euros), and snacks (140 euros).
Specific equipment mobilizes over 63 million euros annually, while travel generates approximately 33 million euros in induced effects on service stations, workshops, and insurance.
The estimated annual expenditure per fisherman on accommodation, hospitality, and tourism amounts to 441 euros, contributing a total of 24.5 million euros to the Aragonese tourism sector.
The profile of the Aragonese fisherman is characterized as male (97%), with an average age of 49 years, and high fidelity to the practice: more than 70% have been fishing for over a decade. 89% reside in Aragon, while 11% come from other communities, mainly Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Navarre, and Madrid. The average frequency is 32 fishing days per year, with a preference for rivers and reservoirs in the Pyrenees and Iberian region. The main motivation is contact with nature (68%), followed by the sporting component (21%) and social interaction (11%). 78% of fishermen combine this activity with other forms of inland tourism.
In 2024, 55,671 autonomous and inter-autonomous licenses were issued and 4,618 federative licenses.
During 2024, 1,040 mentions of fishing were recorded on networks and media, with an 88% positive sentiment and potential outreach to millions of users. The brand Fishing Aragon is regarded by 95% of fishermen as contributing to improving the image of Aragon. The digital reputation analysis reinforces Aragon’s positioning as a destination for nature and responsible fishing.
